§ 41. Mr. Malcolm MacPhersonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to persuade teachers to postpone retirement until the maximum permissible age.
§ Mr. MaclayPublicity has been given to the provisions for improved benefits in the Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1956, which are intended to induce teachers to continue in service for the maximum pensionable period.
§ Mr. MacPhersonWould it not be more effective to improve conditions in the schools? Does not the right hon. 963 Gentleman realise that in the last four or five years nearly one-third of the men and more than half the women teachers have retired before reaching the age of 65? Is not that an extraordinary loss of manpower in a profession which finds it difficult to get recruits? Will the right hon. Gentleman try to remove the worry and harassment caused so much in schools by large classes and other difficulties?
§ Mr. MaclayThis is a matter which is causing me anxiety, but the hon. Gentleman may be interested to know that the total number of teachers of all ages who retired at 31st March, 1957, was 146 less than in the previous year, so the figures are rather better.